Did you know that the story of the Klosterkirche in Erfurt is deeply intertwined with Martin Luther’s life? The Augustinian monks started building the church and monastery in 1277. Imagine them laying the first stones of what would become a significant spiritual center.
This is the Klosterkirche. It is more than just an old building. It’s a place where history and faith meet.
In 1505, Martin Luther entered this monastery. He sought peace with God within these walls. He famously said he tried to get to heaven by “monkishness”. Those who knew him would attest to this.
Two years later in 1507, Luther was ordained a priest. He celebrated his first mass right here in the Klosterkirche. During that mass, Luther was overwhelmed. God’s majesty and his own human frailty filled him with fear and awe. He was momentarily paralyzed.
The Klosterkirche has striking architectural features. The main nave boasts wooden barrel vaulting. A single side nave now hosts exhibitions. Look up at the triple east windows. They are 700 years old.
One window features a rose. This rose inspired the “Luther Rose” insignia. Luther used this to authenticate his letters and printed works. Today, shops sell Luther souvenirs using this rose.
Notice the octagonal bell tower on the saddle roof. It adds to the church’s unique character.
Johannes Zachariae is buried in this church. He was a theologian and preacher. He condemned Ian Hus at the Council of Constance in 1415. He is known as “the scourge of Hus”. His gravestone was placed in front of the altar.
Consider this ironic twist of fate. When Luther was consecrated as a monk, he lay face down on Zachariae’s gravestone. Hus was burned at the stake. He prophesied that a swan would sing and his song would be heard. Luther saw himself as that swan. Zachariae would have been horrified to know his gravestone was a place of consecration for a heretic like Luther.
After the Reformation, the Klosterkirche became separate from the monastery. The local Lutheran congregation used it. In 1556, the last monk died and the site became Erfurt city council property. It was secularized in 1559, but reconsecrated in 1854.
During an Allied bombing attack in 1945, tragedy struck. Two hundred sixty-seven people sought shelter in the monastery library cellar. A bomb directly hit the library and all were killed. An underground “Place of Silence” now commemorates them.
When Pope Benedict XVI visited Erfurt in 2011, he met with leaders of the Evangelische Kirche in the Augustinian Monastery. They celebrated an ecumenical service together.
The medieval stained glass windows you see are original. They date back to between 1310 and 1330. Luther himself would have seen these windows. They underwent extensive cleaning and restoration. In 2014, they were returned to their former glory.
Today, the Augustinian monastery serves many purposes. It has administrative offices, guest and conference rooms and a large library. Public lectures, concerts, prayer meditations and conferences take place here. Regular services of holy communion are held on Sundays. Prayer services occur during the week.
Take a moment to reflect on the Klosterkirche’s enduring legacy. It is a place of faith, history, and reconciliation. Its walls have witnessed both tragedy and triumph. The Klosterkirche stands as a testament to Erfurt’s rich and complex past.